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Moorejw

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Everything posted by Moorejw

  1. We are just completing the process of registering our imported camping car. The garage can provide you with export plates that include insurance for up to 15 days (not for theft though - so ask your French insurers to cover that - cost us nothing). You have 15 days to get a CT in France and a Quitus Fiscal from your local hotel des impots. If the car is older than 6 months or has done more than 6000 KM you don't pay any import tax, but you need this document to be able to register it. The documentation with the car will include an equivalent of a cession certificate and the equivalent of the Carte Grise will include a statement saying that it is exported. Let us know if you need any more help. John and Angie Moore (17)
  2. AFAIK its still CPAM.We recently had to help a visitor write to them with the form from the doctor to claim their reimbursement. John and Angie Moore (17)
  3. Hi Helen So sorry to hear that you have been unwell and hope that you are making a speedy recovery. We have, fortunately, only encountered mild amusement at the fact that we are English, live here permanently, and speak French! When we visited our elderly neighbour in hospital she was very proud of her Englsh neighbours, showing us off to her room-mate and the doctors and infirmieres were interested to compare notes with how the NHS worked in UK. We too find that there are an increasing number of English immigrants who don't even attempt to speak French and bring their English ways with them, whereas before we always felt that the English who lived here permanently were self-selected nice guys!? Lets hope that French ways rub off on them before they turn too many locals against us all. John and Angie Moore (17)
  4. Mark and Suzy Did you find a home for your birds? John and Angie Moore (17)
  5. You could always use Western Union - they have a website which covers international transfers of funds,from Post offices. John and Angie Moore (17)
  6. No, you should be issued with a letter stating that your system conforms with the current Norms. This is something that you may need to present to the authorities or future purchasers, so ask for it! John and Angie Moore (17)
  7. If you are not registered for TVA then you must include this statement: TVA non applicable, article 293 B du CGI Angie Moore (17)
  8. We can help you out - message in your inbox. John and Angie Moore (17)
  9. It is always cheaper from the Pharmacy. I have just paid 14 euro for 3 pipettes for the cats, its a bit more for the dog, but a lot less than in UK! John and Angie Moore (17)
  10. There are plenty of pretty villages and small towns to choose from in Charente Maritime - you'll be spoilt for choice. We are near to Surgeres which is a thriving market town with a good range of shops, schools and all other facilities. Message in your in-box. John and Angie Moore (17)
  11. A really lovely,lively town, with a great market and beautiful architecture. There are lots of pretty villages nearby and the sea is not too far away. Lots of water-based activities on the Charente. Message in your In-box. John and Angie Moore (17)
  12. We have a very flighty bantam that won't let us catch her and we use a large landing net when we need to capture her - fishing variety! You could also try throwing a large sack over him. You really should clip his spurs (yes, I know that might pose its own problems!)to reduce the damage to your hens. Good luck - Coq au Vin coming up? John and Angie Moore (17)
  13. My French neighbour's technique for a perfect potager involves rotavating frequently,no digging at all! They also use plenty of weedkiller and insecticide, but that's another story! If you are starting from scratch borrow a rotavator or ask a local farmer (assuming you are in the countryside) to plough your patch, you can then clear the roots of the weeds and brambles as you plant. I started my potager last year and it did really well. This year its not as good because somebody told the moles about it and they moved in and turned it into a warren of runs and mounds! The easiest crops in our area : courgettes and all types of squash, tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, garlic, green beans, peas, and MOST IMPORTANTLY parsnips (because we cannot buy them here). John and Angie Moore (17)
  14. Our French neighbours spray everything with Bordelaise solution - the blue stains that you see on the houses come from this, it keeps fungus and mildew at bay. John and Angie Moore (17)
  15. We tried ducks last year and found them much harder work than the hens. They made a lot of mess, fouled their water containers in record time and refused to be locked up at bedtime! We didn't clip their wings and eventually they flew - never to return!! This year we purchased 3 goslings and they are so much easier than the ducks. They are a bit messier than the hens, but very well behaved, very affectionate and they eat all the grass and weeds in their field! Good luck! John and Angie Moore (17)
  16. If you look on TF Kevin (Parrack Graves?) their garden expert lives in 17. John and Angie Moore (17)
  17. If your gites are fully insulated and have central heating then you might enhance your income with some longer winter lets. We have found a great demand in this area (17) from house-hunters and people wishing to try out the area, or just escape from the UK winter for a few months. We are planning to support ourselves (only two of us) with 3 letting units sleeping a total of 14 people, with pool and large area (2 acres) for recreation. We will let at least one in the winter to keep the cash flow ticking over. John and Angie Moore (17)
  18. Your best bet will probably be Emmaus - there are warehouses at St Agnant (Rochefort), St Romain de Benet and one near Saujon. There are also Troc outlets at Rochefort and Saintes (and probably elsewhere) I suggest looking in the Pages jaunes. John and Angie Moore (17)
  19. Hang in there Maggi! It seems very unfair that you should have to jump through these additional hoops, when we had a relatively easy time here in 17. Don't forget that (in theory) the onus is on the DRIRE to prove that your van is unroadworthy according to the EU legislation. Good luck John John and Angie Moore (17)
  20. Do you think you could fit in a tea rooms as well? Its the one thing we miss - being able to stop for a cuppa and a cake!! Most French bars/cafes serve a good range of drinks and are open all hours, but no pastries to go with the coffee, and always a poor excuse for a cup of tea! There are certainly plenty of English tourists in the area and the Dutch and Germans would also enjoy the tea and cakes scene. You might even convert a few locals! Good luck with your venture, let us know when you are open, we are not far away from you. John and Angie Moore (17)
  21. There are tax implications on selling a maison secondaire in France but these are different for residents and non-residents. The regulations changed on 1/1/2004. There is a full explanation on http://www.notaires.fr including an English version! John and Angie Moore (17)
  22. Are you sure that you have a fosse septique with a drainage bed? I think you might have a fosse etanche - maybe with a leak! Do you know what the capacity is, is it big enough to cope with your house and a gite? When you emptied it was it just a concrete box, or were there dividing baffle plates between the two halves, and do you know where the outlet pipe and vent are??? John Moore (17)
  23. I was also stopped by the Gendarmes on the way home from shopping the other day. I was speeding just a little bit in my 29 year-old Peugot 104! I had all my papers, including French drivers licence and carte Gris, but did not have my insurance document with me. I was politely told that I had to carry this at all times and then they let me go, with a big smile and I promised to behave and not to speed!!! I have been told that if you do not change your licence within one year of arriving in France, you can be asked to sit a French driving test!!!!! Angie Moore (17)
  24. Have you tried the 'late'availability' section on French Connections website? It will cost a fortune at that time of year, but you might find something. message in your in-box. John and Angie Moore (17)
  25. Hi Maggie and welcome to the Forum. We registered our caravan 18 months ago and became the forum experts on the subject. The details are too long to post here but if you send your email details to our inbox we'll email you a copy of the 'how to do it' guide. Best wishes John and Angie Moore (17)
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